Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-01-14

WV SHi'Su SIh'eS blstrlCt OF circuit
Courts.
If the bill shall become law. | shall
lay it before you as an aid in framing such
legislation rs may be necessary to secure
to the people Of this State whatever benefits
may be derived therefrom.
The power that is placed in the hands of
the commission TO permit discrimination
by allowing greater charge for a shorter
than for longer distance is not only
dangerous, but virtually places the entire
interstate commerce of this vast country
under the control OF five men; and vet, the
only practical course now left, even if that
be possible, Is the passage of the bill.
leaving 10 the immediate future the final
settlement of this great question between
the people and monopoly.
II Congress should in so many words. de-
clare that on a railroad passing through
this State, from Chicago To Baltimore, the
charge on q car load OF freight Nigh, he
$40 from Chicago and $50 from West Viz
ginia 10 Baltimore, Ia case of common oc-
currence) il would strike the most ordinary
understanding rs not only unjust, but con-
trary to the purposes and genius of a con-
stitutOn that was created to promote the
general welfare. The power conferred up
on Congress by the Constitution of the
United States, TO regulate commerce amongst
the several States gives no authority To
destroy or cmbdrgo il in either: vet that i,
exactly the power that this bill places i'm
the hands Of the commission.
do not believe that such provision is
i'll harmony with the fundamental law of
our country; but, ON the contrary. is un-
constitutional and void
! have deemed it proper To call YOUR at
tentiOn TO this Federal legislation. because
it affects most deeply the interests and
prosperity OF the entire people of the State.
Should the commission permit discrimiua-
tionS against this State, ask that author
ity and direction TO he given TO cause the
institution and prosecution of proper legal
proceedings, 1T the expense of the
State, that our constitutional gIaran-
tees may he enforced by the Supreme Court
of the United States. if il be- Necessary. at
the earliest practical moment.
Twcnty-SlN States of the Union have
passed laws for the regulation of railway
charges. In none has the necessity been
so urgent rs here. Our laws give every
possible protection 10 the business and
property of railroad companies; and We
should have protection for the people
against their unfair and unjust cNactions.
The sooner this be done the better for all
concerned. Ii will protect and place the
State in it, proper position and beyond the
power oi misrepresentation Of those who.
Tor personal ends, make no distinction be.
tween legitimate business on the one hand
and cNtortiOn and monopoly on the other.
] recommend such legislation upon this
subject rs will secure cvcn-haudcd Justice
to both the railroads and the people. |
especially recommend that, both rs 10 pas.
ScngcrS and property, greater charge for
a shorter than a longer distance, and every
species of discrimination against, OF i'm IA
Nor of, individuals or localities, and every
means by which it may he accomplished, he
absolutely prohibited That a commission
he created with such authority Us NAV bc
necessary for the application and execution
of the law, and To obtain such relief rs may
BE- had from Federal law. and that adequate
penalties bc provided Ia secure respect aud
Obedience.
The practice of railroad companies isSu-
ing 10 public officers free passes over their
roads is another abuse Ia which call your
attention. That this is done with an i'm
proper motive is 81 transparent ~ to admit
of no question. There is no branch of the
Government but, III some form. ~ called
upon to act in relation 10 the rights. duties
and liabilities of such companies; and
therefore, where Questions between rail
TOAD companies and the people arise, il can
not he matter of surprise that u feeling of
distruSt pervadcs the public mind when
the public servant, whether Legislative.
judiciary or Executive, holds the laws at
his country in one hand and a railroad pass
in the other.
trust | may he INDUCED in the refer
cncc: The refusal OF the members of our
supreme Court Of Appeals. 10 he the rc-
cipicntS of these so-callcd compliments.
while setting u valuable example, fairly
presents their sense Of the impropricty of
the practice.
most earnestly recommend the enact
mcnt of law 10 prohibit the delivery of
such passes 10 any and every officer with
in this State; and that the penalties be-
sufficient 10 put IN end to the abuse
SELECTION ANp ELECTION or CANDI-
DATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.
II is the gr;Indcsi fact in Tn" organization
Of society, that this Is i government "Oi
the people, by the people and for the peo-
plc.n \ government of liberty regulated
by law; of citizens and not OF subjects; Of
equality of manhood and equality OF
rights that commands no allegiance 10
I.i,,., L.,
of the land; the gin of patriotism, free
dum< hope and the crowning glory Of
governmental science.
Both reason and experience concur in
the demonstration, that the maintenance
and pcrpctuatiOD Of fee institutions de
pend, primarily, upon the purity of cleo
lions in all their various stages II might
De sci down aS an axiom, that scli-govcrn-
mcnt can not survive the corruption of the
ballot
bribery at elections, by our laws, is a
punishable crime; yet IL il no violation of
the law Ia Use the very means la secure
nominations for public office. that would
constitute bribery at an election. polit-
icd party organizations. though not in
law, are in fact, part of cur governmental
NNNltIll. IVY NtifIlllll' w llt iilllll, ny
their nominations, upon whom political
trusts shall he conlrrrcd and. therefore, il
becomes ~ essential to prevent the use of
undue mrana, fraud and corruption, in Sc
curing nominations, Is in elections. for
public office. The use al money secure in
diyidual support and advocacy, ana the
delivery of railroad passes 10 delegates Ia
political conventions iayOrlng the n0mi-
nation Ia public office of such candidates
rs railroad officials may desire nominated,
are the common methods now practiccd.
The Use Of railroad passes for such pur-
pose. in this State has become so open and
notorious rs to be thrust upon the attcn,
ton of every observing man. Nothing but
the aroused indignation and determination
of the people ran successfully encounter
these means. The absence Of laws Ia con.
denim Gnd punish such conduct is but
proclamation to the people, and a warning
To every citizen who aSpirts la public pO-
SitiOn. that subseTvirEcy 10 tn" demands
of wealth and Of railroad corporations *
the first and indispensable requisite OpolIt-
zeal success. The manifest purpose of
such methods is Ia control by corruption;
crush intellectual and moral worth; deter
public uttcrancc for the public good de
nri yn the State nf lis hest talent far hubble